Apple To Lure Android Smartphone Users With iPhone 6 Exchange Program

According to a recent report from 9to5Mac, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is all set to push Android users to iPhone retail stores with its exchange and recycling offer, now being extended to Blackberry users as well. The news spread like fire as CEO Tim Cook announced the next plan of giving a gift card to Android users in exchange of their second-hand Android phones after the record-breaking sales of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in its first fiscal quarter of 2015.

These Apple gift cards can be used at any iPhone retail stores to purchase an iPhone. Previously, Apple had limited everything, even the exchange and recycling program only to Apple users. Apple originally launched the trade-in program in 2013 to boost the sales of iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. Apple users would require filling in few answers that would verify whether their old Apple device is qualified for a recycle and reuse program. Last summer, a new version of this program was churned out for iPad mainly.

Android users can exchange their Android phones. However, the price of the gift card will depend on the condition, age, and functionality of the Android phone. Either Apple retail store employees will be determining the price of the Android phones brought for exchange or its recycling partner Brightstar will take up the ownership in determining the value

So, why Apple has extended its Program to its arch Rivals?

We couldn’t help but wonder why Apple decided to extend its exclusive Apple exchange and reuse program to its arch rivals-Android and Blackberry? Not more than four years ago, the Visionary founder Steve Jobs negated the effect of large screens, indirectly hitting out its fierce rival Samsung on face. However, the Q1 2015 reports of Apple Sales show iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have created a rage in the i-market, with people streaming in to buy the 4-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5 inch iPhone 6 plus. Apple has reported sold 74.5 million units of iPhone in the first quarter itself. While declaring the first fiscal quarter earnings Tim Cook had claimed that the Q1 had seen the largest switch from Android to iPhone in comparison to last three years. Analysts had an expectation of sales between 61 million and 71.5 million, but Apple superseded all expectations in the beginning of this year.

Android, with its free to use platform is ever evolving. The big daddies of mobile industry are trying to monetize this platform as well as possible, by churning out mobile phones at prices we never thought off. However, Apple’s Q1 2015 reports and new exchange and reuse program for android and Blackberry users, seems to be a new challenge lurking in the mobile market.

Will Apple’s Exchange and Reuse program for non-Apple users affect its rivals?

Steve Jobs maintained Apple to be exclusive, and so did we. While he did not think large screen could trigger the market, Tim Cook proved it real-time that large screens did attract buyers. Now by initiating exchange program for non-apple users and giving gift cards to use to purchase iPhones, we can expect more switching to iPhones from android. Apple is all set to increase the 0.1% gap with Android, and retain its lead position. However, thinking that Google will sit silently would be foolish. Sundar Pichai, who runs Google Android, confirmed at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Google is all set to begin experimenting with wireless service, for which you need to have an android device.

“We are thinking about how Wi-Fi and cell networks work together and how to make that seamless”.

Analysts have predicted big revenue numbers in the second quarter of 2015, as per the reports from Business Korea. USB claims the sales to reach 58 million, while Morgan Stanley and Barclays bet for sales of 54 million units.

For all, Apple is now busy training its employees for this new roll out. While training is in full swing at Apple House, we patiently wait for this exchange program to get announced officially as well as a lookout for the announcement of the second quarter earnings by Apple.

Will you trade your Android smartphone for iPhone 6 under the exchange program ?